The Payback (Team Zulu 2)

26

Brandon

Shep’stimingsucked.IfI was about to meet my maker, I would at least liked to have sorted this shit out with Sage. Because I was losing her. Right before my eyes. She’d pulled that impenetrable barrier down and allowed me in for five life-changing minutes. That was all it’d taken to give me a taste of how sweet things could be and to know I wanted more.

Except I might never have the opportunity because Philly’s most lethal hitman was almost here. There were only two reasons he’d confront me. To get intel, or to avenge the shitstorm I’d brought upon him when I’d used him as a pawn to help Sage.

If it was the latter, I didn’t want Sage witnessing it. He wouldn’t hurt her, I was sure of that, but the carnage if Shep and I fought this out would be brutal, with only one of us walking away.

Sage’s big brown eyes widened with fear. “What’s he doing here? What does he want?”

“Don’t worry. He won’t hurt you.” I picked up my shirt from the floor and pulled it on.

“Don’t worry?” she squeaked. “The last time we saw that man, he looked like he wanted to kill you.”

“Well, I gave him good reason.”

A knock sounded at the door. Both our heads whipped to face it before we locked eyes once more.

“Stop agreeing with the enemy, and give me a weapon!” she whisper shouted.

“No. This is between Shep and me. Do you want to help?”

“Of course.”

“Then go into the bathroom and stay there so I’m not distracted. This isn’t one of Franky’s moronic thugs. Shep’s the most dangerous person I know. I’ll need all my concentration if this goes sideways.”

I wouldn’t run from Shep. I couldn’t live a life looking over my shoulder, wondering when he might deliver his justice. And now that he no longer needed me to survive, he was free to carry it out. I’d wondered how long it would take him to catch up with me, but this was sooner than I’d anticipated.

“Hiding out of sight isn’t the kind of help I’m good with.”

Another knock on the door. “It’s not fucking housekeeping, Landers. Open up.”

“Who’s Landers?” Sage asked.

“No time to explain. Here, take the Glock if it’ll make you feel better. Just stay in the bathroom until I tell you to come out. Okay?”

She huffed but took the pistol and went into the en suite.

“I can hear you two talking in there,” Shep said, sounding put out.

“Fine. I’m coming to you unarmed, all right?”

“We both know that’s bullshit. Just hurry up and open the damn door.”

I tucked my pistol into the back of my jeans and swung the door open. “Shep. What a delightful surprise,” I said with all the insincerity I could muster and a fake smile.

Damn, I’d forgotten how big the guy was. A little taller than me and almost as bulky. He hid a powerful physique beneath his faded blue jeans and red flannel shirt. His black hooded jacket, along with dark eyes and a bleak expression, gave me the distinct feeling the grim reaper was paying a visit.

“Quit freaking out. If I were here to kill you, you’d be dead already,” Shep grumbled as he barged past me and into the room.

I closed the door. “Why don’t you come right on in?”

He flipped his hood back and brushed the hair from his face. Those cold eyes scanned the room, probably checking for weapons and threats because that instinct was ingrained in guys like us. “Where’s your woman?” he asked.

“I’m not his woman!” Sage called out.

“Perfect,” I groaned and shook my head. “She’s staying in the bathroom until you leave.”